Sunset Sting Recipe: A Magical Tropical Twist To Brighten Your Day

As summer evenings drift into warm memories, this sunset sting cocktail promises an electrifying twist on classic mixology.

Vibrant colors swirl like painted clouds across the glass, capturing tropical essence in each sip.

Light rum dances with fresh citrus, creating a tangy liquid amber that sparkles with unexpected depth.

Tropical passion fruit adds a mysterious layer of complexity to the drink’s profile.

Bartenders adore this recipe for its visual drama and balanced flavor composition.

Sharp notes of ginger and lime provide a zesty counterpoint to the cocktail’s smooth base.

You’ll want to craft this stunning libation and watch friends marvel at its mesmerizing presentation.

What Makes Sunset Sting a Flavor-Packed Sip

• Spice Up Your Cocktail Game: Sunset Sting offers a thrilling mixology experience that's perfect for adventurous drinkers.
• Craft Cocktail Simplicity: Despite its impressive presentation, this recipe requires minimal bartending skills and can be prepared quickly in just a few minutes.
• Heat Meets Sweet: The ingenious combination of jalapeño and passion fruit creates a complex flavor profile that balances spicy and tropical notes, making each sip an exciting journey.
• Instagram-Worthy Presentation: The stunning sunset gradient from grenadine and vibrant garnishes transforms this drink into a visual masterpiece that's guaranteed to impress guests and social media followers.

Sunset Sting Drink Ingredients

• Tequila: A classic Mexican spirit that provides the strong, signature flavor for the cocktail, best with a blanco or reposado style.

• Passion Fruit Syrup: Sweet and tangy syrup that adds tropical complexity and balances the heat.
• Mango Juice: Brings a smooth, sweet tropical note to the drink, fresh juice recommended for best flavor.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy acidity to balance the sweet and spicy elements.
• Grenadine: Creates a beautiful sunset gradient effect with its deep red color.
• Club Soda: Light carbonated mixer that adds refreshing effervescence.

• Jalapeño Slices: Provides a spicy kick and aromatic heat to the cocktail, fresh and thinly sliced for best infusion.
• Tajín: Mexican chili-lime seasoning for rimming the glass, adds zesty and spicy accent.
• Orange Wheel: Decorative garnish that hints at the tropical flavor profile.
• Edible Flower: Optional elegant garnish that adds visual appeal.

Sunset Sting Cocktail Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Glass Rim

Enhance the glass edge by dipping it in lime juice and coating with Tajín seasoning for a zesty kickoff.

Step 2: Infuse Spicy Flavor

Gently crush jalapeño slices with passion fruit syrup in a cocktail shaker, releasing their vibrant heat and sweet essence.

Step 3: Build the Cocktail Base

• Tequila
• Mango juice
• Lime juice
• Ice cubes

Step 4: Shake with Energy

Vigorously shake the mixture for 10-15 seconds, blending flavors and chilling the drink thoroughly.

Step 5: Create the Ice Foundation

Fill a tall glass with fresh ice, preparing for the cocktail pour.

Step 6: Strain the Mixture

Double strain the liquid into the prepared glass, removing jalapeño fragments for a smooth texture.

Step 7: Create Sunset Effect

Slowly pour grenadine along the glass interior, allowing it to sink and create a stunning gradient reminiscent of a tropical sunset.

Step 8: Add Sparkling Touch

Top the cocktail with a splash of club soda for effervescence and lightness.

Step 9: Final Decorative Flourish

• Jalapeño slice
• Orange wheel
• Edible flower (optional)

Sunset Sting Mixing Smarts

• Adjust jalapeño quantity to control spiciness, removing seeds for milder cocktail or adding more for extra kick.
• Pour grenadine slowly along glass side using the back of a spoon to create beautiful layered gradient.
• Use fresh mango juice instead of processed for more authentic, vibrant tropical taste profile.
• Double straining ensures no jalapeño seeds or pulp remain, creating a clean, refined cocktail texture.
• Muddle jalapeño and passion fruit syrup in advance, storing mixture briefly to intensify spicy-sweet complexity.

Sunset Sting: A Cocktail That Keeps Well?

• Store leftover cocktail in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Keep sealed to preserve freshness and prevent flavor loss.
• Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods that might alter the drink's delicate taste.
• Note that ingredients might separate when stored, so gently stir or shake before serving again.
• Best consumed within one day for optimal flavor and quality of ingredients like fresh juice and muddled jalapeño.

Snack Ideas for Sunset Sting Cocktail

• Ignite Spicy-Sweet Flavor Harmony: Pair this vibrant Sunset Sting cocktail with complementary dishes that echo its bold profile.
• Zesty Mexican Street Tacos: Grill up some street-style tacos with carnitas or al pastor, matching the cocktail's fiery jalapeño kick and fruity undertones.
• Tropical Seafood Ceviche: Prepare a zesty lime-marinated seafood ceviche with mango and avocado, which will beautifully mirror the drink's tropical and citrus notes.
• Cool Down with Creamy Appetizer: Serve a chilled avocado-cream cheese dip with tortilla chips, providing a smooth counterpoint to the cocktail's spicy and tangy elements.

Tasty Mixes for Sunset Sting

• Mocktail Magic: Replace tequila with sparkling water or non-alcoholic white spirit for a refreshing zero-proof version that keeps the spicy-sweet flavor profile.
• Tropical Herb Remix: Substitute jalapeño with serrano pepper for extra heat, or use cucumber slices for a milder, more refreshing botanical approach.
• Vegan Sunset Sparkle: Ensure passion fruit syrup is plant-based, swap grenadine for pomegranate juice, and use organic agave-based sweeteners to create an entirely vegan-friendly cocktail.
• Low-Carb Wellness Option: Remove grenadine, use stevia-sweetened mango juice, and select a low-carb tequila to transform this cocktail into a keto-friendly beverage.

FAQs

• What is Tajín and where can I find it?

Tajín is a Mexican seasoning blend made of chili peppers, lime, and salt. You can find it in most grocery stores, especially in the international or spice aisle, or at Latin American markets and online retailers.

• Can I make this cocktail less spicy?

Absolutely! Use fewer jalapeño slices or remove the seeds to reduce heat. You can also skip muddling the jalapeño entirely if you prefer a milder drink.

• Is passion fruit syrup easy to make at home?

Yes! Combine equal parts passion fruit puree and sugar in a saucepan, heat until sugar dissolves, then cool. Alternatively, you can buy ready-made passion fruit syrup at specialty liquor stores or online.

• What type of tequila works best for this cocktail?

A silver or blanco tequila is ideal for the Sunset Sting. These unaged tequilas have a clean, crisp flavor that complements the fruity and spicy elements of the drink.

Sunset Sting Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 7 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

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Description

Sunset Sting cocktail weaves Caribbean passion with tropical zest, blending rum’s warmth and citrus complexity. Cool and refreshing, this drink invites local spirits and bold flavors to dance on your palate, promising an unforgettable island escape.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Spirits:

• 2 ounces (59 milliliters) silver tequila

Fruit Juices and Syrups:

• 1 ounce (30 milliliters) mango juice
• 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) passion fruit syrup
• 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) grenadine

Modifiers and Garnishes:

• 23 thin jalapeno slices
• Club soda (to top)
• Ice cubes

Garnish Options:

• Jalapeno slice
• Orange wheel
• Edible flower (optional)
• Tajin rim (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the serving glass by moistening the rim with lime juice and coating it with Tajín for a zesty, spicy edge.
2. Create a flavor base by gently crushing jalapeño slices with passion fruit syrup in a cocktail shaker, releasing the pepper’s subtle heat and infusing the sweet syrup.
3. Load the shaker with ice cubes, then pour in the tequila, mango juice, and fresh lime juice to build the cocktail’s core flavor profile.
4. Seal the shaker and aggressively mix the ingredients, ensuring a thorough chill and complete integration of the liquid components.
5. Populate the prepared glass with fresh ice, creating a sturdy foundation for the drink.
6. Utilize a fine-mesh strainer while pouring to eliminate jalapeño fragments and ensure a smooth, clean liquid.
7. Carefully cascade the grenadine along the glass interior, allowing it to settle and create a stunning gradient reminiscent of a tropical sunset.
8. Enhance the drink’s effervescence with a gentle splash of club soda, adding lightness and volume.
9. Complete the presentation by adorning the glass with a jalapeño slice, a vibrant orange wheel, and an optional edible flower for a sophisticated, Instagram-worthy finish.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeño seeds for a milder kick or adding more for extra heat.
• Use fresh passion fruit syrup for the most vibrant and authentic tropical flavor profile.
• Opt for high-quality blanco tequila to ensure a clean, crisp cocktail base that doesn’t overpower other ingredients.
• Create a non-alcoholic version by substituting tequila with additional mango juice or coconut water for a refreshing mocktail alternative.

• Prep Time: 7 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Cocktails, Mocktails
• Method: Shaking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 178
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg